"It was nice knowing you."
"Oh, shut it."
"We are so dead though. Like dead dead. Done. Completely."
"I get the point, thanks. Stop being so pessimistic about the situation."
"We broke priceless equipment and potentially caused the whole operation to slide forward weeks if not months. And you know how she feels about schedules. We'll at most live long enough to be test subjects for our replacements."
"We didn't do any of that. It was all... whatever that thing was."
"Yeah, in our laboratory, which is under our supervision. Do you think she cares that it popped out of nowhere and then disappeared? You know she won't run the risk of it having been our fault. This is too important and we're too easy to replace."
"I just-" The mare suddenly went silent, and sat straighter, and so did the stallion beside her.
With slow steps, Nightmare Moon approached the pair. "I see your report of the damage was accurate, and that you didn't waste time in sending it," she said, walking past them only to turn and start walking back the other way.
Both unicorns nervously swallowed, trying to fight against the tension eating away at them to avoid any sudden spasms or other movements.
"I will see that a replacement for the machine is built and delivered as quickly as possible." The alicorn put added emphasis on the last part of the sentence, and both the other ponies knew she meant it would be done even faster than such a thing should have been possible, likely through complete disregard for the well being of those poor souls involved in the process. "However-" Nightmare Moon stopped walking, turned again, and eyed the unicorns directly "-you must understand that it is a very complex piece of work we're talking about. A very delicate construct of nearly incalculable worth. One of the most advanced pieces of magical technology in existence. And the one previously in your possession is now beyond repair."
"Of course, Our Queen," the stallion said with a small bow, barely not stammering. The mare instead looked dead ahead, tense to the point of being almost frozen like a statue.
"Very well." Nightmare Moon continued to walk, passed them again, and stopped. "Then I am sure you will understand as well that it will be a while before you will be able to continue your experiments."
"Of course, Your Highness," said the stallion, bowing again. It would have been his answer in every case, it was the only answer he was allowed to give, and therefore he only fully realised what he'd actually been told once he'd already said it. Thankfully, he managed to bite his own tongue before saying anything else, and judging by the sound the mare at his side had done the same.
"Very well," added Nightmare Moon without turning. "I'll make sure to entrust some other task on you during the wait, it would be a shame to waste your talents. Await further instructions. In the meantime, feel free to do as you please, but do not leave this place." And then, she simply walked away.
Seconds passed by in silence. Then almost minutes.
"How the fuck are we still alive," incredulously breathed the mare.